Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Last August I raved about "Surf School Dropouts" and they finished second in my year end list, which is no mean feat considering the copious amounts of great music I received last year, and to this day I am still playing the download on a regular basis. However, you can now own this superb, infectious piece of surf pop on vinyl, the ultimate format, since the band were, quite rightly, snapped up by one of my very favourite labels, "Sunny Day Records."

As the name of the band suggests, these are sun soaked harmony, laden songs with catchy melodies that will warm you to the core, place a smile on your face and probably make you want to grab your board and head for the beach and soak up the surf.

Since 2009 Andreas, Christian, Jari and Martin have been on a mission to bring sunny sounds to the
frostbitten, Northern shores of Denmark. Based in Copenhagen, these guys may be far, far away from the
California sun and beach scenes they sing about. But they nevertheless channel their love of Brian Wilson
and infectious harmonies to great effect.
Above all, ‘Summer is a State of Mind’ is a celebration of the classic pop sound with 14 self-penned songs
featuring shared lead vocals by all four Dropouts and lots of catchy melodies.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Here is a rather charming EP that I wanted to share after stumbling across it on Bandcamp, 60's styled beautiful, dreamy pop in the vein of The Beach Boys, had they been blessed with a female voice of course!

I can't really tell you too much about the band, other than that they are a 4 piece from New Jersey, but I can tell you that you should download these three beautiful tracks and take a listen to the bands demos too which are every bit as beautiful!

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Twin Sets are back with their second EP, and once again, showing fine form with the extended play"Romance." I am never sure if a six track should be called an EP or a mini album, but what the hell, we get six tracks, not four and what great tracks they are too!

The last time I featured the band on the blog I was full of praise for their musical abilities, as I still very much am, but I criticised their tracks sung in English as being "quite nonsensical," it was a minor criticism but one the band obviously took to heart as they have certainly nailed the tracks in English on this offering, showing that they are a band that will strive to get it right and get it right, they have!

The Twin Sets are a band that will go far as they work towards getting everything right, from the driving Power Pop sounds to the perfection of the lyrics. Each and every one of the six tracks on "Romance" hit the mark.

So, this time around, do I have any positive criticism to share? Nope, nada, nothing at all, this record is brilliant, the future is looking extremely promising for this four piece from A Coruna in the north west of Spain and they are now sitting very comfortably besides my other favourite bands in the world of Power Pop and I am certainly looking forward to a long player from them in the not to distant future.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Once again, the wonderful Interplanet Janet joins us for an album review, this time for the amazing debut album from Jay Gonzalez.Jay GonzalezMess of Happiness

You may or may not know Jay Gonzalez as the keyboard player from the band Drive-by Truckers. I would like to introduce you to his first album flying solo. But first, rewind to a couple months ago. I received the album not really sure what to expect since I hadn’t previously heard anything by the Drive-by Truckers. I was delighted because the songs were like the type my friends and I loved years ago. We would take refuge in them when our usual shoegaze, grunge and alt-rock got to be just too much. We would point out certain observant and amusing lyrics, laughing away our seemingly huge but-you-ain’t-seen-nothing-yet teenage troubles. Fun, clever, retro-pop, that back in the 70s and 80s might have been called “rock” because the songs contain a few guitar solos. I listened to Mess of Happiness carefully, smiled and thought Music used to be so fun. Why is my music collection so serious these days? This question hung over me like Beijing smog.

Let’s examine the album in more detail. I’m not going to list all Jay Gonzalez’s influences, but if you are interested, you can find them posted on jaygonzalez.com— the pop greats Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson feature. This is demonstrated in the quality of the songwriting with an added dose of humour and a dash of not-taking-oneself-too-seriously. Let me assure you though, that the unique and amusing nature of the album (which crosses over into the videos that are well worth a look) does not mean the listener has to sacrifice quality.

These are fine, well-crafted pop songs; well-sung and packed with personality. The random samples of sound that appear throughout, a child’s voice for example, only add to it’s charm. Some of the further influences I picked up on are Glen Campbell, ABBA, Wings and even the early 90s power-pop band, Jellyfish— but I’m not sure what Jay would say about that. It does go to show that this is a very eclectic bunch of songs and that a listen is essential.
It’s not easy to choose a few standout tracks because they all have something noteworthy about them, but I will start with the brilliantly-titled Turning Me On. Once upon a time, we made mixtapes. If after hearing this poptastic gem you do not have the immediate urge to put this on a mixtape for someone then there’s something wrong with you.
Also noteworthy is the punchy, peculiar and bass-heavy Skinny Little Fingers. It’s hard to place this song. Part of me feels it belongs nestled in an episode of Scooby-Do for it’s faux-scary murder mystery narrative. Also, if you are like me and enjoy compiling Halloween-themed mixtapes, this track would be perfect. I should add that Gonzalez gets a bumper pack of extra points from me for the insertion of “Teenage Fanclub” in the lyrics. If there is indeed such a thing as a Teenage Fanclub shiny mac, I want one and I want it now.

This is what I have decided. Mess of Happiness is an album that is needed in your record collection right now because it’s probably so unlike what is in your record collection right now. I admit I’ve been pretty big into deeply serious and tortured singer-songwriters who take you through their seemingly impossible quest for love and acceptance. I honestly have no intention of ditching them but there needs to be a balance. You need to hang out with a funny friend for a while, not just the friend with all the drama permanently attached. Interestingly, like the funny friend, you will find this album also has considerable depth under the surface. This is especially evident in it’s examination of relationships with friends and lovers. For example, in the tracks Short Leash, I Urge You and Louisa.

I’m pleased to have this album because it has forced me to realise the reason why my record collection has become so serious is because I have become so serious. The teenage me would regard this as a tragedy. All the more reason why, starting with Mess of Happiness, this should be the year for music to make you smile. Despite the mess.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Hot Nun is a band led by former Spinning Jennies and Well Wishers main man, Jeff Shilton, joined by Braden McGraw (Disastroid/Headslide) and together they take Power Pop to the rockier side with the volume turned to eleven.

This album is what I would term as a driving album, stick it on the car stereo, wind the windows down and drive out on the open road, head bobbing up and down and drumming on the steering wheel, then when it comes to an end, you start it all over again and drive a bit further!

Fans of The Well Wishers or Spinning Jennies may be looking within to find the chiming guitars that are the trademark of those bands but will not be disappointed with this 8 track album, the melodies are there, the riffs, the harmonies, it is just that this one goes to eleven and the guitars drive proceedings along very nicely.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

It pays to have friends all over the world when it comes to hearing about good, no, great music, and I'd like to thank my friend Yael in Israel for turning me onto this fantastic soul outfit from Tel Aviv.

Amazingly the band was started by chance when DJ Yashiv Cohen was heard singing along to the records he was spinning at Tel Aviv Soul Club, this led to him teaming up with some musician friends and creating a soul band which stays true to the sound of 60's and Northern Soul, and as a person who is passionate about Soul, I have to say that this band is one of the very best I have heard in recent years.

Human Leagues "Mirror Man" given a tasty work over by MONC.

Working through this album, you can pick out the artists and the songs that drive this band from Al Wilson, Gloria Jones, Style Council and Dexys Midnight Runners, in fact "Ringtone (At The Caffs)" could have sat quite comfortably on Dexys "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels." MONC very clearly and openly display their influences but also bring their own twist and freshness to Soul.

This is a fantastic debut album that will have you out of your seat and moving your feet, it has been made with passion by people who have soul in their hearts, it really comes as no surprise that MONC are being embraced all over Europes Soul and Mod scenes as well as in their home country, yes, they are that good!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Spanish Mod band Stanley Road have just started a funding project to help them release the bands debut album.

In these times where record companies choose to invest in so few artists, other than those that come from some TV talent show like X-Factor or the like, it is refreshing to see artists adapt the DIY ethic to ensure their music gets out there and that we the listeners get a diversity of choice.

There are different levels of contribution that you can make and the rewards given at each level vary from records, concerts in your home, local bar and even traveling with the band on a small tour with VIP treatment.

Friday, January 18, 2013

As a fan of the Medway scene I was really excited about this albums arrival, and with very good reason, vocalist/guitarist of The Galileo 7, Allan Crockford, was the bass player with, in my opinion, the greatest Medway band of them all, The Prisoners. Allan was also a member of Solarflares, Prime Movers and many other Medway garage bands and he is now leading his own band and standing shoulder to shoulder with the greatest of Medway bands in his own right.

So, you would expect "Staring At The Sound" to have some form and you would not be wrong, this is an absolute stunner from start to finish. Allan has had the reputation of being the reliable sideman to many great figures in his time as a musician, so it should of come as no surprise that he would develop and find a flair for writing his own songs, and, songs of quality too, which is exactly what he has done with The Galileo 7.

"Staring At The Sound" is everything you could possibly want from an album, tip top songs with psychadelic sounds, swirling organ, loads of harmonies, well written, meaningful lyrics and energy galore, as you would expect from a stalwart of the Medway sound.

It would be impossible to attempt to pick a stand out track on this album, all twelve tracks here hit the mark, each and every one of them could be released as a single.

This album will leave you wanting for more, I promise you, and the good news is, that there is more, The Galileo 7 released their debut album in 2010, "Are We Having Fun Yet?" which fortunately the band very kindly sent me along with "Staring At The Sound" and I can assure you that it is every bit as wonderful as the latest album.

"Running Through Our Hands" from the debut album "Are We Having Fun Yet?"

"Orangery Lane" from the debut album "Are We Having Fun Yet?"

"Staring At The Sound" (along The Solarflares and Prime Movers material), can be purchased at The Galileo 7 official website, both on the superior format of vinyl and CD here: http://www.thegalileo7.fourfour.com/home

(Also check out the excellent single "Modern Love Affair" and "Can't Get Away From Myself")

Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Theme have landed, suited and booted and ready for world domination, with their debut album "Time For Change."

The echoes within the grooves here take you back to a time when music had a real immediacy to it, a time when the music gripped you and excited you, a time when music meant more.

The band are the first to admit that they are not re-inventing the sound of the Mod revival and Britpop eras, they are merely the torch bearers for the next generation, saving our souls, and ears, from the mindless drivel that is rammed down the throat of the nation by daytime radio.

Fortunately they are not alone in their conquest, but lead the way with the likes of Len Price 3, The Past Tense, Stanley Road and The Electric Stars to name a few.

The album is chock full of tunes, attitude and style, also reflected in the bands very sharp dress sense, and will not only appeal to fans of the Mod revival of the late 70's and early 80's but will also sit very comfortably with those who had a passion for the Britpop sounds, the likes of Oasis and The Real People. But, and maybe more importantly, this will bring a refreshing sound to the kids being starved of "real" music and hopefully revive something in the youth that makes them go out and check out the bands that don't get mainstream radio airplay, but, who like The Theme, have so much to offer. Time for a change? I reckon so, and The Theme are making it.

Whilst I have not been lucky enough, yet, to see the band live, I am assured that they put on a fantastic live show, so if you see any gigs listed near you, go along and have some fun!

I often get asked if we are at the start of another Mod revival, well, if The Theme is what constitutes a Mod revival, I f*cking hope so!!!!!

Buy the album, Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Theme here: Facebook

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I have been looking forward to hearing this album since I was sent the single "Kernersville" in the autumn last year, and I can, hand on heart, say it was well worth waiting for.

"Be Nice, Be Careful" is a choice cut of Power Pop, sometimes echoing the great power pop bands that have gone before them but without emulating them.

The song writing and music stand up to any scrutiny with well crafted songs and meaningful lyrics that never fail to engage the listener on every level.

A Fragile Tomorrow have released an album that will sit comfortably with a cross section of listeners, an album full of radio friendly tunes that will hopefully bring this music to the masses, who are currently being fed a diet of crap from TV talent shows, there is more to music.....and here they are!

A Fragile Tomorrow has become one of the most respected band of brothers on the road, largely thanks to their venerable work ethic, stellar musicianship, and fans in high places. The four-piece powerpop band is comprised of identical brothers Sean and Dominic Kelly, their younger brother Brendan, and Shaun Rhoades. In 2006, the band released its debut album, “Wishful Thinking.” Early 2008 brought the world "Beautiful Noise," the band's second record, which was produced by Grammy® award-winner Malcolm Burn, producer for such industry luminaries as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Patti Smith.

Years of hard work and determination started to pay off in a big way in 2009. They went into the studio, with singer-songwriter Danielle Howle as producer, to make their third record “Tripping Over Nothing,” which features contributions from Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, singer-songwriter Susan Cowsill, and legendary musician Peter Holsapple. Sean and Dominic also made an appearance on Indigo Girls’ 2010 live album, “Staring Down the Brilliant Dream”, as well as Amy Ray’s 2012 solo release, “Lung of Love.”

Starting in 2010 and continuing through recent months, AFT joined Indigo Girls on tour in various cities, including a show in their home base of Charleston, SC in early 2011. As 2011 started to wind down, the band was invited to their West Coast debut as touring openers for The Bangles. Shows at well-respected clubs like House of Blues and legendary venues such as The Fillmore in San Francisco made the West Coast a successful new market for the band. More high-profile gigs followed throughout 2012, as the band shared the bill with Antigone Rising, Garrison Starr, Drivin’ and Cryin’, and Matthew Sweet respectively. While opening for Sweet on his celebrated “Girlfriend tour,” one Massachusetts critic proclaimed AFT as “everything that is right with music.”

Along with their busy touring schedule, the band carved out time in January of 2012 to complete their fourth record, “Be Nice Be Careful,” with music legend Mitch Easter as producer and Ted Comerford as co-producer. Known for his work with bands like R.E.M. and Pavement, Easter brought his trademark jangle-pop sound to the band’s compositions. This latest batch of songs show A Fragile Tomorrow’s growth not only in their songwriting, but in their musicianship as a whole.

Sean Kelly-Vocals, Guitars

Dominic Kelly-Drums, Vocals

Brendan Kelly-Guitars, Vocals

Shaun Rhoades-Bass, Vocals

A Fragile Tomorrow’s genre has never been easy to pinpoint, as the band uses the cities, musicians, and cultures that they come across while on the road as inspiration for their songwriting. Fans have compared their music to the likes of Teenage Fanclub, The Smithereens, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Big Star, The Jayhawks, The Lemonheads, The Posies, and more. Artists such as Indigo Girls, The Bangles, Matthew Sweet, Antigone Rising, Garrison Starr, Blues Traveler, Catie Curtis, Continental Drifters, Danielle Howle, The Cowsills, and Mark Bryan of Hootie and The Blowfish have invited AFT to tour and share the stage over the last few years.

As the band readies its fourth album for release on January 8th, 2013, their goals include expanding their fan base, touring to new cities, working with more up-and-coming musicians as well as some more of their idols, making quality records for their fans, and bringing powerpop music back to the mainstream.

Monday, January 14, 2013

This turned up in the ICM mailbox last week and after a week of listening to it, it seemed that I was keeping a little secret to myself, well, I have kept it to myself for long enough and now is the time to share it, it isn't just "What We Want," it was what I want and what you want, just what you needed!

Michael Goodman, who records and releases albums only under his surname, makes pop music. He recalls the chord progressions of the radio hits of the ’50s and ’60s and long-forgotten power-pop bands of the late ’70s with ease, resting his achingly beautiful melodies over beds of I IV V’s and, even better, I vi IV V’s.

Michael Goodman is not, however, just a kid with a guitar, regurgitating the first chords he ever learned behind a wall of distortion. Also apparent in Goodman’s music is the meticulousness, the hours of deliberation, that characterize some of the greatest pop recordings of all times. The songs on “What We Want” are born of the same painstaking attention to detail that once resulted in “Be My Baby” and “Good Vibrations.” Every note is perfectly placed, every sound achieved with care. Goodman’s every syllable is sung with conviction, his soaring harmonies exactly matching the fastidiously wrought diction of his lead vocals. The end result is a certain soulfulness; the overwhelming beauty of a singular vision, correctly realized.

In the context of the ever-growing standards of the Mama Coco’s canon, Goodman has just raised the bar one notch higher.

Album opener “Night Person” kicks us off in a fitful burst of hooks, but hints at the meditative melancholy that permeates the record: “I’ve been pacing ’round the room / Trying to best my restless brain,” Goodman sings. As much as this album positively overflows with soaring melodies and hooks that permanently settle between your heartstrings after just one listen, it is also soundtrack for those long, deeply restless nights. The Wrecking Crew-esque groove of “Without You” drives a positively gorgeous tune home before giving way to the bounding “Waiting,” the excellent lead single (though, frankly, every tune on this album is a serious contender for the ‘lead single’ title). Mid-album highlight “Fever” chugs along like Ziggy-era Bowie and erupts into a cacophonous wall of synths and guitar leads in harmony. “Waking Hours” is some of Goodman’s finest songwriting to date, a strikingly subtle ballad; the instrumentation is perfectly understated, and the harmonies, doused in reverb, are almost painfully lovely. The late-album one-two punch of “Awakened” and the rowdy title track–the latter of which captures early-relationship jitters to a tee–are additional highlights. “Won’t,” which serves as the jangling but incredibly powerful album closer, ends an already-intimate record on an even more intimate note.

Like those of some of the best young songwriters (I am reminded, for instance, of Bright Eyes’ “Fevers & Mirrors”), Goodman’s lyrics are peppered with recurring imagery: flowers and fever, sleeping (but mainly lack thereof) and waking, early mornings and late nights plagued by uncertainty. He captures the ends of relationships and the beginnings of others through the eyes of the sleepless nights that bookend them.

This is pop music for nervous young people, tossing and turning because we don’t know just what we want.

If you have been missing the band, The Marlowes, fear not, former founder member John Larson has released a rather fine debut album, "Songs About Music" and will begin recording the follow up this year. We think that this debut is a pretty fine affair and look forward to hearing more later this year.

The Marlowes with Little Anthony.

Songs About Music is the record that John Larson has been trying to make for a long time. From the infectious guitars that introduce the opening track, “Girl in the Band” to “Kiss and Yell” - the story of strangers who turn lovers after they meet at a convention devoted to the band KISS - it’s clear that listeners are in for some unconventional lyricism and irresistible melodies.

Songs About Music is Larson’s first solo effort after having fronted the Providence, Rhode Island-based power pop/rock band The Marlowes for eight years. The new release is full of the kind of down-to-earth songs with heartfelt vocals and engaging melodies that define his best work.

Songs About Music, is a collection of songs that were all written about musicians, the art of writing music or the lively characters who surround the music scene.

Lyrically, the stories and observations that Larson unfolds are among his best work. The track “Billy and Wiggy” retells a chance meeting with English folk rocker Billy Bragg’s brother at a Bragg show in Providence in the mid-eighties. Interspersed throughout the album are odes to Josephine Baker (“The Constant Caterwaul”), a lament on the lack of authentic country music in America (“They’re Not Writing Country (In This Country Anymore”), and the thoughts of an obsessed vinyl record collector (“Track You Down”), among the others.

“Although this is my first solo album, it was definitely a collaborative effort,” said Larson. “I called on a lot of my music friends, including a few of the Marlowes, and everybody contributed beyond my expectations.”

For this project, Larson enlisted long-time friend and bandmate Justin Capaldi as his co-producer to help him achieve the sound he was searching for. “Justin is someone I trust and feel a musical kinship with and he was great at capturing the sounds I was hearing in my head,” Larson explains.

Recording and mixing took place at Lunchtime Studios and Fat Trax in Rhode Island and Rich Sound in New York.

It only takes one listen of Songs About Music to realize that Larson has achieved the sound he was searching for – in spades. For perhaps the first time, the music Larson conjures up to support his songs is just as compelling as the stories they tell.

To listen to the debut album from John Larson and to find out more, go and visit John's very excellent homepage here: www.johnlarsonri.com

Saturday, January 12, 2013

If, like me, you like something a bit different sometimes how a bout a little trip into the gloriously trippy world of Sir Psyche and let him take you to some far off places and beyond.

One month after this album was released on April 24th, 2012, the album was out of print and vaulted. If you were one who didn't receive a copy of the 500 albums that were manufactured or didn't get to download a copy, now is your chance to get a copy, as well as 15 bonus tracks of alternate versions and outtakes from the sessions.

Venture of into the psychedelic world of Sir Psych. You might not be the same afterwards!

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Whims, after a very careful and methodical selection process, chose to send their self titled release to us to listen to and we are very glad they did!

The band say that they have siphoned their music styles through the best filters available and quote bands such as ICM faves like Teenage Fanclub, The Kinks, GBV, Cheap Trick etc. and it would appear that the filter system is functioning extremely well as this release features all the jangly guitars, chops, kicks and harmonies that you would expect from the the very best in Power Pop and beyond, but as always, don't take my word for it, take a listen for yourself and see if this New York City combo grab you in the same way they have grabbed us!

Contact Ice Cream Man

If you are a musician or in a band and you would like your band/music featured on the radio show, then please send me an e mail. The primary purpose of the show is to aid promotion of new bands. We look forward to hearing from you.icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com

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